i normally don't get a lot of 'crafting' done during my family's waking hours... but i thought i'd brave it today- and see how things went... i am working working to get my little winter wonderland created, and i am having lots of FUN, but probably spending TOO much time! so as i was working, i decided to enlist some help (i am totally lying, i was bombarded with helpers!)... we are making cute little word signs to fill old frames, so Quincy was sorting letters, and spelling festive words... Capri was painting letters with Tattered Angels Glam and Glaze... and Connor was painting a 'snowy scene'. i really do love that they want to be involved... how can you possibly say no to these faces? even when it involves a huge mess. LUCKILY, we didn't even have one spill!

funny: i asked Cory to go out and spray paint a frame, and he brought it into me painted, with snow all over the back-when i questioned him, he decided to lay it on the 11" of fresh powdery snow to paint it. helpful.

you know i talk about the possibilites of "hybrid" creating a lot... here on my blog and also on the webshow...it's something that i LOVE and am continually amazed and inspired by what is possible the more that i learn and expeiriment. it means more creative resources and limitless possibilities... now, i'd say that Jessica Sprague is one of the best teachers out there- especially with starting from the beginning and moving in a very intuitive way through learning something new- PARTICULARLY, but not limited to, the digital world of CREATIVE possibilites! --now before you count yourself out- WAIT! and trust me when i say...these skills are WORTH IT to learn. and NOT HARD when you are taught! and some of the most exciting skills to explore. Jessica is teaching a COMPLETELY FREE class- it started yesterday, but you can still jump in - it goes Nov. 29 through Dec.8 and it's called "Inspiration Everywhere"... jump in a check it out ... you have nothing to lose... this is a great place to START! CLICK HERE to Register... (did you hear me say FREE)... Jessica and i have something up our sleeve together... can't wait to share more about it!

i am revamping a bit this year...granted, not spending any money- just 'repurposing' and 'making it work'... this is involving some spray paint, some glitter and a little Parisian Anthology! i admit to being totally inspired by my amazing partners at House of 3... and we'll be sharing a little glimpse tomorrow night on the webshow. we will be playing with all the stuff in THIS KIT...

here is a peek:

when you see Rhonna's creations... you will melt!! and what Janet just showed me on ichat... fabulous! she just comes up with such clever ideas... i can't wait to share!

i am in the process of spray painting frames, and creating little "art pieces" to hang and tuck here and there...i think it's starting to come together! seems like each new idea sparks another! i used Tattered Angels glam and glazes on these Cardboard letters... and i'll be sharing the secret behind this fun little trees.

i had an awesome day!went to costco. got all the laundry done. made personal pizzas for dinner. answered emails. and i have big creative plans for tonight...we have a big webshow to get ready for wed. night!

the 'traditions' are starting now that THANKSGIVING is over! i keep thinking of traditions that i forgot!

i need a "sleighriding", and a "snowman" and "photo with santa"... i am working on an "add-on" kit.

I have never blogged from my iPhone-pretty cool! We are cruising along, making our way across the desert, heading home after a delightful thanksgiving holiday! Although our vehicle easily accommodates all the members of our family... And with it's in-roof tv and iPod adapter should make road trip travel far more enjoyable than it was for me as a young child... The kids still find things to bicker over and ways to bug each other and complain they can't 'get comfortable'. Eric has resorted to noise canceling headphones and his newly downloaded Beattles for iTunes albums- I am the referee and seatbelt monitor with only the threat of 'no treats at the next stop' as leverage. It actually works pretty good.. We are about to drive over that new huge beige that bypasses the Hoover dam for the first time!
I am a huge fan of the breathtaking desert vistas between az and ut. If it weren't for all the fighting, id probably enjoy this drive!!

Anyway- my purpose in posting is to post the link to the kit for this weeks Parisian anthology webshow on the pink paislee website:

Also-
Don't forget that the amazing 50% off sale at www.houseof3.com will extend through cyber Monday code is blackfriday
As well as 40% off at BlossomCouture through Monday. Code is BLACKFRIDAY2010

This morning Eric and I decided to get up at 3:30am and head over to Target…I mean, I kept watching the TV ads for “DOORBUSTERS”, and I have never gone and done that… I am not an early buyer of Christmas presents… I kinda wait until the last minute every year… and I am usually a grump about it! So … I wanted to make some changes this year! So we knew what we wanted, and went. Man, that was a disaster! Gasp! I knew people said it was crazy, but still- it was CRAZY! So many people- you couldn’t even MOVE in the store! W o W!! we did try Kmart, and it wasn’t so bad, that we thought we could probably manage standing in line… and as I stood in the forever line, I was surfing on my phone and found everything at a better price just on Amazon! And thought… ok, this is the first and the last, and these people won’t have to compete with me in the stores! i did learn a lot from the 2 guys in front of me in line- one of the guys had just gotten out of jail- and this was his first christmas 'out'... and he was sharing all kinds of valuable prison-survival and gang stories. i was kinda fascinated.

But really- there are some amazing deals out there! Black Friday… what a phenomenon!

Even at House of 3… 50% off EVERYTHING for the whole weekend?! Love it…

The night before Thanksgiving I broadcasted the webshow from an “undisclosed” location! We talked about some of the fun new kits for Christmas … all combined, there are TONS of different kits and projects that are avail (gasp… for 50% off)

As far as the NEW kits go… there is a fun new kit that is all in my handwriting.. this one is a brush kit ONLY! So you have to have PS or PSE

For those that would rather create with the paper/scissors/ glue… I did create a TRADITIONS hybrid album kit… now- really, this could be an album or just break into scrapbook pages! I chose about 30 different typical ‘traditions’ that everyone could participate in!

i created this little book super quicky- and used a photo from our photo shoot w/ Maggie Holmes on the very front of the book... i love how it turned out- for this book, i printed all the pages- and even this photo on metallic cardstock, and i love the effect.. you can't really tell on the photo- it's for sure an "IRL" effect!

this is a blurry little photo, but you can see- i used a 7gypsies book- that is like a 7x6 ish, and the cut of the pages is off-center- and worked perfect for this concept...

i have to remember that all the photos for this book have to be portrait- and a 4x6 will fit great on that left side of the book. there is tons of room for extra photos and journaling. (i even have photos of trimming the tree alreadY)

the "title" elements are attached to the right 2" sides... so they overlap... but still the pages open.

i SO love this paper- it can be found in the "christmas cheer" backgrounds kit So, in this traditions kit, there are 30 tradition titles, 6 different coordinating backgrounds, and all the dates for December! I showed a couple of options for making a little book… or even scrapbook pages. The traditions are my favorite part of the season! It would be fun to have a place to put different photos over the years in the same place!

I also created a fun “gift card” kit… they are SO easy to make- each 8x11 sheet has everything you need to create the card except a piece of ribbon! There are 4 different styles in the kit- and the tops and bottoms can mix and match… so cute. I got them out for Quincy, Capri and her cousin … the girls had so much fun and made a huge crafty mess! I loved that. Perfect for teacher gifts or a cute place to tuck cash, or gift cards!...

With the 50% off I think the kit is $3! below- this kinda gives you a run down of how to create the present card- or you can see me create it in action on the webshow.. click hereAnother great project that would be fun to make and kick off the season is the holiday countdown kit… so cute. Be sure to check out ALL the different card ideas, and kits etc. so much to choose from!

if you want to create this fun little countdown... you need to grab 2 different kits:

and speaking of big, gorgeous flowers (click here)... the code to get 40% off the flower pin and clips is: BLACKFRIDAY2010 (as seen above) … and you know… you don’t have to wait until dec. 25th to give a Christmas gift! That way- girlfriends and coworkers can be wearing your gift to all the celebrations and events! so festive! AND check back to see the new "mini" sizes.. so cute... (oh, the flowers above are the "silver meadow" combo

HEY--DON'T forget that next week is a very special Parisian Anthology Webshow... Pink Paislee is offering a special kit that you can order so you can create along with us!

as you can see above, there are 2 kit choices.. one includes the Parisian Anthology album, and the other does not.. you can order it HERE and just to get you excited about the Parisian Anthology line- check out their blog while you are there... gorgeous stuff!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving! we had a super low-key, very enjoyable day with family... and it was just right- i am so thankful for my family... for those precious and most enduring relationships. Happy Thanksgiving, and onto a very Merry HOliday SeasoN!

i know that most of us are getting ready for a big turkey day tomorrow... after everyone is full... there might be time to get crafty!? there are some new kits and project starters on the site... so come and join in tonight...

tonight's webshow was very special, and unique. it was a pleasure and a joy to invite my aunt Karol Jean Miller to come and share some of her insights and memories with regard to my Grandpa K's art, and more specifically- his lifetime of Christmas cards... leaves me wondering if the passion, or better- facination with creating holiday greeting cards is "nature" or "nurture"? Karol Jean and i highlighted a few of our favorite cards- we could have had a 3 hour webshow just talking about each card, and the history and inspiration behind them. - i loved it. so THANK YOU KJ for coming- for gathering...etc, etc! it's facinating to have this artistic connection with my grandfather- and i am thankful for Karol Jean for making (and continuing to make) tremendous effort to caputre, and perserve memories, tradition, and little details.

we talked about these 'stand up' cards- and all the cutting and detail... SO over the top!

a NEW friend came as well tonight- Chari from Persnickity Prints came over tonight- and this was really fun cause we were meeting for the first time, and she is SO adorable! we had so much fun getting to know each other a little...she has 3 sons, and is a busy mom- and she talked about turning into a 'digital scrapbooker' and being super disappointed when she'd take her 12x12 scrapbook pages to get printed- and the edges would be cut off, and maybe the color off... she just found that she really wanted to give scrapbookers a better option for print! - anyway... we love them, and this year have decided to create templates that you can put a photo in for holiday giving! SO, we wanted to talk about the options, and possibilites for print!

Chari came with a bunch of the House of 3 holiday cards - she printed them on a mix of matte, glossy and the metallic... the printing is gorgeous! so i just will share a couple of the cards- if they aren't on the site yet they will be! - i have never made these kinds of cards, and i had FUN! (i made some new art... i need to get it on the site!)

ok... so this is all just to get you thinking!

ok, and i know this is turning into a really long "recap"... but i thought i'd share a few photos of my cards of christmas' past... here goes!

(this is the one that never made it out... it's 2001, not 2000!)

and i like how i attached the letter on this one:

this is the "matchbook" card... if you downloaded my "card inspriation" sheet... it's #6... and this is the beginning of 3 card that i used one of may masks on... this card's mask was hand-cut, cause it was still just an idea! and year 2 of the PINK!

i can vividly remember adding the "puffy paint" to these cards...

had to make the envelope this time- 2nd year of mask, spraypaint and transperancy!

but i think this is my favorite one of all..

i mentioned that last year... i went "paperless" -mainly just ran out of time, and blah blah blah! i didn't have a family photo-and i didn't want to get all the clothes, and organize... etc etc. we literally walked to the park down the street, and just shot up about 100 photos. you will notice there is not a "family" one- Colton had to snap the ones of eric and i! but we had a blast... and i really like how it turned out! i made it at animoto.com which you can use for free! it's super user friendly!

NOT SURE what i am doing this year, but i am feeling really inspired to SCREEN PRINT and use my YUDU! this year i do have great photos... i have a little idea, so we'll see how it comes together...

i really do think that sending out holiday greetings is special, and important! a tradition i'd hate to see die! SO... let's get going! start thinking... last night at the end of the show, i was going to talk quick about my little inspiration list thing- i hope you download it- and i hope you can read it.. it's kinda sloppy! but there are some fun ideas on there, and i will be sharing ideas in the coming days from that list. as well as uploading more new ideas and kits to House of 3... here is a sneak peek!

this one is inspired by my own "2000" card... and i used a mix of this years "holiday cheer" and last year's Holiday backgrounds... look for an easy-to-create kit coming!!

well, so you know- i love making and sending and recieving holiday cards! love it... even if it starts early, and i get 'thanksgiving' cards... or just missing the holidays- it becomes a 'happy new year' card... I will even accept a "valentine's day" card (i have been know to do that!) whatever works!

tonight's webshow, we'll talk about some FUN ideas... share cards from Christmas' past... and get your creative juices flowing, as you start to contemplate this year's greeting!

i created a little 'handout' for tonight's show... it's kinda crazy, but maybe it will spark some BRILLIANT creation for you! you can download page 1

ok, now that my bags are unpacked, and the laundry done- house is cleaned up and - oh- well, i need to get to the grocery store, i am feeling the pressure of real life without it skipping a beat! this morning, we had a catch up "house of 3" meeting, and talked about SO many things- we have lots of exciting and fun opportunities and projects going on... as well as challenges- we always wish that we have more time to do all the cool things and ideas that come up! just seems like there is never enough time!

but- priorities! right! and this week's webshow- we are going to talk about something that i think is a MUST for holiday priorities!... do you know that i am talking about?? you might even dread it...cause usually it means gathering everyone up for a family picture... NOW you know what i am talking about: HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS! some of us have traditions that the cards seem to follow, some of them are the last minute- print and send... and some take days, even weeks to step by step assemble! and sometimes...it just gets pushed to the back of the list, and sometimes, it even falls off the list! SO, we are going to get you starting thinking about it sooner than later!

don't you LOVE to get christmas cards in the mail? colorful envelopes- in a size that is NOT shaped like a bill or insurance statement!? admit it- you LOVE the ones that have PHOTOS...! and while you like to get a little note, that brings you up to speed on those people that you love, but really this is the only interaction you have in a year- (am i the only one?) really, truly- you just love to see the smiling faces... somehow it connects you, reminds you.. and c'mon, admit it... you LOVE being remembered- and wished a 'happy holidays'... 'merry christmas' ' happy new year' ' etc. etc. etc...'. well, i LOVE it!

i guess i can blame it all on my Grandpa K..."Howdy" as everyone called him... Howard Kasteler. He was quite a passionate artist. He painted the sidewalk when children were born into the family, and created large wooden scenes that he attached to the roof tops for christmas and other holidays- he was super creative and maybe even a little ahead of his time... here is a photo of him: (so cute)... i love this.

he was a photographer, and illustrator...and a collector. in 1994, for Christmas, not too soon before my Grandma passed, together- with the help of my Aunt, they gave us a book- that contained copies of almost all their family christmas cards from 1945-1982. They were screen printed, and stamped in multiple colors with hand-carved linoleum blocks. Some are simple- some were hand cut, and folded, and created decorative pieces that could sit on a table! i'll even show you a SHINGLE that grandpa silk screened on! ( in 1951, the card grandpa screen printed had to go through the press 9 times to get all the colors he wanted- crazy!!) my grandma would write the rhymes and grandpa carefully plan the photos and the designs. This book i have- is one of my most treasured possessions- and a very tender connection that i have with my Grandparents, who have now both passed.

This week, i want to share this collection with you, along with a look at the cards i have made for my family through the years- AS WELL, as cards that have been created by Janet, Rhonna, and EVEN Stewart-

This card that i am showing above is one that my Grandpa made in 1953. in fact, here is his signature on the bacK:

i just have to point out- if you look on the 'ad' above you can see that my grandpa had used an exacto knife to cut the slits for the photo to tuck through... isn't that funny!? maybe some of you have seen me to that on scrapbook pages- i wonder if that is where i got the idea? - i would have loved to watch his process... i just have to share what he said about this card- ... in the book that i have, my aunt KJ typed my Grandpa's explaination of each card... i want to share this:

"well, the front cover of the black one, we incorporated into our Christmas decorations for our front entrace and porch. I put it up with fluorescent paint and you couldn't see the image in the day light, and at night we had two light sources so that it showed up one way under a blue light, and then that woudl go off and then the black light would come on. It was full-size, the height of the door and everything. The paint on this 'kard' would show up also under black light. And now let's see, the rest of the tree from the front of the kard was on the inside. Now that was an innovation!"

wow- i just love that i can hear his voice as i read these words! i love that i get a little insight. so cooL!

I'll be sharing 12 different ideas... from quick and simple to a little more elaborate to get you thinking about your own holiday greeting... whether you are sending out 5 or 150, we'll get you in the mood to create your family Holiday Greetings! to me, this is the funnest party of the holiday season! (wonder where i got that)

i have invited my Aunt KJ to come and share a couple of the most amazing originals, and share a few ideas about archiving some of the cards you RECIEVE! and i have also invited Chari from Persnickity Prints, and we'll talk about so great ideas for making your own cards...

SO, don't forget... Wednesday night, 8pm Utah time- so... that is like 7pm on the Pacific Coast, and 10pm on the Eastern Coast... if you have never tuned in LIVE, you can do so by clicking HERE! you can join in the chat, or just simply watch and get inspired!

ok, i know... monster long email, but here is layout i did last night from Halloween... i need to scrapbook more, so i don't forget..my memory is SO lazy.

this came together really quick, and i used my favorite photos from Trick or Treating... although, i do wish that i was in the photo...